This was a big month for me, reading wise, both in terms of pages read (thanks ACOTAR series) and DNFs logged. That is, there were two novels that I started by did not finish this month. It’s a first for this year, so I wasn’t sure how best to handle them. Besides those two, though, I have some great recommendations for you below, including one of my favorite books I’ve read this year: Morgan is my Name by Sophie Keetch!
When it comes to historical fiction, there is no shortage of fascinating books about WWII. These captivating narratives transport the reader to a time of global turmoil, where ordinary individuals were thrust into extraordinary circumstances. From the battlefields to the home front, these books about WWII serve as poignant reminders of the triumphs and tragedies that shaped the modern era. Through harrowing tales of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience, the novels I am sharing here are riveting historical fiction set against the backdrop of World War II.
This month was a bit of a mix when it came to book genres for me. Lots of twentieth century historical fiction, headed by Chanel Cleeton’s Cuba Saga series, and rounded out with Kate Quinn’s The Alice Network. Besides that, I’ve been favoring fantasy novels lately, kicking off the month with an ARC of A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand and closing it out with Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses. All in all, eight interesting novels from six inspiring female authors!
March has been a busy month, both for just daily life and my reading list. This month, I’ve taken on a few historical fiction authors who are totally new to me, including Stephanie Thornton and Michelle Moran. Lucky for us readers, both authors have a number of great novels available, covering some of the most fascinating time periods and individuals in history! Read on for everything I read in March this year!
Set in 1518 Strasbourg, The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave revolves around the dancing plague that took over the city for a time. The novel focuses on the protagonist, Lisbet, and her immediate family and friends, with the dancing plague and religious fervor as a compelling backdrop. Well researched and emotive, The Dance Tree is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. It is a must-read for anyone interested in this mysterious plague, and a page-turner for general historical fiction lovers.
Fellow readers, if you’re in the market for a gripping and spooky new read, you’re going to want to pre-order Sarah Penner’s forthcoming novel, The London Séance Society. In The London Séance Society, Penner creates both complex characters and a dynamic plot that keeps the reader guessing till the end. Historical details fill the novel, making it extra interesting to this historical fiction lover!
A gripping historical and contemporary romance story, Rachel Burton’s The Last Party at Silverton Hall bridges the story of two women in two different centuries, whose lives are impacted by a single night. Described as a “heartbreaking tale of family, duty, and the secrets we keep from those we love most,” Burton’s latest novel will keep you engaged from start to end.
Based on a true story, Kate Thompson’s The Little Wartime Library follows the highs and lows of an underground library founded during World War II. With powerful emotions throughout the tale, both elated and devastating, Kate Thompson brings a large cast of characters to life as they work to survive while living and working underground in the unused Bethnal Green tube station in East London. In short, The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is a must-read for historical fiction lovers, and it will certainly make you want to support your local library in the process!
Described as a must-read for fans of Madeline Miller, Clytemnestra is a stunning debut novel by Costanza Casati. This mythological historical fiction novel follows the lesser-known sister of Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, whose story is known as one of vengeance and violence. Whether you are familiar with Greek mythology or not, Clytemnestra’s story will engage you and move you. And it just might get you into the genre of myth retelling!
A quick, emotional read, The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly will pull at your heart and keep you up wanting to know more. Viv, the protagonist, is a remarkably contemporary woman. She makes her way as best she can as essentially a single-mother in WWII Liverpool. The historical novel tells a fascinating, heart-wrenching story of what happened with children evacuated from cities during the war. This is an aspect of WWII I knew nothing about. In all, this is a great read, and I am eager to try more of author Julia Kelly’s historical novels!
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